Coil guide for sheet metal uncoiler



1956 G. R. OCKERMAN 2,757,879

COIL GUIDE FOR SHEET METAL UNCOILER Filed May 25, 1953 ASheets-Sheet l INVENTOR GEORGE R. OCKERMAN ATTORNEY 1956 G. R. OCKERMAN COIL GUIDE FOR SHEET METAL UNCOILER 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 25, 1953 INVENTOR GEORGE R. OCKERMAN BY ATTORNEY 1956 G. R. OCKERMAN 2,757,879

0011. GUIDE FOR SHEET METAL UNCOILER Filed May 25, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 lZk I M I 33' 29 30 m 3o 29 33 e f e :1 IX 1 v fi v INVENTOR G EORGE R. OCKERMAN ATTORNEY 1956 G. R. OCKERMAN 2,757,879

0011. GUIDE FOR SHEET METAL UNCOILER Filed May 25, 1953 4 Sheets- Sheet 4 2 i G: 3 s4 -55 5s A: 40 I 60 INVENTOR GEORGE R. OCKERMAN BY M ATTO NEY United States Patent COIL GUIDE FOR SHEET METAL UNCOILER George R. Ockerman, Canfield, Ohio, assignor to The McKay Machine Company, Youngstown, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application May 25, 1953, Serial No. 357,068

. Claims. (Cl. 242-76) The present invention relates to apparatus for uncoiling metal sheet and strip, and more particularly to improved means for guiding and confining the side edges of a coil of sheet or strip during an uncoiling operation.

More specifically, the present invention relates to an improved coil guiding arrangement for incorporation into sheet and strip uncoiling apparatus of the so-called processing type. In the processing type of uncoiling apparatus a coil is clamped under pressure between a supporting mandrel and a small diameter working roll, and as the strip is paid off from the coil it is bent sharply about the working roll in a severe reverse bend. It has been determined that this method of uncoiling is effective in reducing coil breaks and the like which otherwise often occur in uncoiling operations.

Processing type uncoilers are preferred for most uncoiling applications because of the superior strip conditioning obtained thereby. However, the effect of clamping a coil between a supporting mandrel and working roll is to accentuate the tendency of any convolution of the coil to shift axially of the coil. Therefore guiding of the coil body and the strip being paid off therefrom becomes a substantial problem, particularly in view of the fact that there is a substantial tendency of the side edges of the strip or sheet being bent or torn or otherwise damaged by the coil guiding means. Accordingly, it is the primary object of ,the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for incorporation into uncoiling machines, particularly of the processing type, whereby the possibility of any axially shifted convolution of a coil being damaged by the guiding means is minimized, and whereby the condition of the coil as regards the alignment of the side edges thereof may be better maintained during the uncoiling operation.

Another object of the present invention resides in the provision of coil guiding means of the type above contemplated which is characterized by an improved arrangement for guiding and confining a coil, generally, and the individual convolutions thereof, whereby the guiding means may yieldably retract-with misaligned convolutions of a coil so that the confining pressure thereupon does not become so great as to cause damage to the strip.

Another object of the invention v i sides in the provision of a novel coil guiding arrangement for incorporation into uncoiling machines wherein the coil guiding means may be advantageously employed for the further purpose of initially aligning the coil withrespect to the uncoiling apparatus.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of an improved coil guiding arrangement for use in the manner described above which incorporates a novel hydraulic and gas-hydraulic actuating system whereby the desired several functions of the guiding apparatus may be most expeditiously performed.

Another, and more specific object of the invention resides in the provision of an improved coil guiding ,arrangement of the type above c ntempla edwhi h is char 2,757,879 Patented Aug. 7, 1956 2 acterized by certain improvements in mechanical construction lending to improvements in the operation of the apparatus and to ease and economy in the construction thereof.

The above and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon full consideration of the following detailed specification and accompanying drawing wherein are shown certain preferred embodiments of the invention.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a processing type uncoiling machine incorporating the apparatus of my invention;

Figure 2 is a t Plan View of the apparatus of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a section view taken generally along line III-III of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary section view taken generally along line IV-IV of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary section view taken along line V-V of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a simplified schematic representation of the apparatus of Figure 1, and the operating system therefor; and

Figure 7 is a schematic representation of an alternate operating system for the apparatus of my invention, in corporating a semi-automatic control arrangement.

Referring now to the drawing, and initially to Figure 1 thereof, the reference numerals 10 and 11 designate spaced side housing members of a generally conventional processing type uncoiling machine. In accordance with usual construction, there is provided a rigid top member 12, interconnecting the side housings 10 and 11, and mounting a vertically disposed cylinder 13. The operating rod 14 of the cylinder 13 extends downwardly through the top member 12 and is connected with a horizontally disposed arbor member 15 mounting a small diameter working roll 16 and a larger diameter back-up roll 17 therefor in the manner shown. The spaced housings 10 and 11 are conventionally provided with suitable guideways 18 for guiding the arbor 15 and rolls 16 and 17 in vertical movement toward or away from a coil, as will presently appear.

Also in accordance with usual construction, the uncoiling machine is provided with a coil supporting mandrel 19 which is normally received in the side housing members 10 and 11, but which is arranged to be re.- tracted laterally therefrom, by means of a suitable carriage device ,20, for the purpose of loading new coils into the apparatus.

Mounted in the housings 10 and 11, and positioned above and somewhat forward of the mandrel 19 are a plurality of pull-out rolls 21 and leveling rolls 22 which function respectively to draw strip from a coil 23 thereof supported on the mandrel 19 and to cold work the metal to a certain extent to render the same more suitable for subsequent use. And in accordance with usual uncoiler construction a suitable drive motor 24, reduction mechanism 25 and drive shaf-ting arrangement 26 is provided to drive the rolls 21 and 22 in the manner intended.

When the uncoiling apparatus is in operation the small diameter working roll 16 is lowered into pressure contact with the outer convolution of a coil 23 supported on the mandrel 19, and the strip is drawn off of the coil by means of the rolls 21. As will be apparent upon inspection of Figure 3, the strip thus paid off of the coil 23 is caused to undergo a severe reverse bend about the lowered working roll 16, and coil breaks and the like are thereby avoided.

To confine and guide the coil 23 during the uncoiling thereof I have provided, in accordance with the teachings "tion the supporting members are generally rectangular in cross section, and are telescopically received in elongated bearing ways 30 provided therefor in the housings and 11 and forming a part thereof. Preferably the bearing ways comprise generally rectangular tubular members 30, of greater internal dimensions than the supporting members 20. The tubular members 30 are welded or otherwise rigidly secured to the main frames or housings 10 and 11 of the uncoiling apparatus. Spaced wear blocks 31 and 32, of bronze, for example, are carried by the tubular members 30 and arranged to slidably engage the supporting members 29 at spaced points whereby to afford a simple but rugged and durable telescopic mounting for the supporting members 29.

Secured to the housing members 10 and 11, on the outer sides thereof, and adjacent the supporting members 29 are rigid horizontally disposed Ll-shaped members 33, the vertically disposed portions 33 of which are substantially spaced from the housings 10 and 1.1. The arrangement, as will be observed in Figure 4, is such that the tubular supporting members 29 may be fully retracted within the bearings 30 while being nested generally within the outlines of the U-shaped members 33.

Housed within the open-ended tubular supporting members 29, and connecting the guide plates 28 and U- shaped members 33 are hydraulic actuators 34 of a conventional type which are adapted, upon appropriate application of hydraulic fluid thereto, to extend or retract the guide plates 28 in relation to the bearings 30 and housings 10 and 11. The arrangement is such that upon positioning a coil 23 upon the supporting mandrel 19 the guide plates 28 may be moved into an extended position, adjacent the side edges of the coil so that the coil may be centered or otherwise properly positioned in relation to the apparatus, and the coil may be thereafter confined and guided during the uncoiling operation.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention the guide plates 27 and 28 abut only a portion of the coil 23, which portion is preferably the upper rear segment thereof, as illustrated in Figure 3, so that the guiding and confining action of the plates 27 and 28 is concentrated on those portions of the coiled strip which are moving into the area under pressure between the working roll 16 and mandrel 19.

As previously mentioned, there are substantial problems connected with the provision of practical coil guiding and confining means for processing type uncoiling machines, particularly in regard to the bending or tearing of the side edges of the strip where certain convolutions of the coil become axially displaced to any extent during an uncoiling operation. It has been previously determined, however, as in U. S. Patent No. 2,622,655, to R. T. Todd, that if a certain degree of resilience is provided in the side guiding means, so that the same may yieldably retract when necessary, while still maintaining confining pressure, damaging of the side edges of the strip is eliminated or at least substantially reduced. In the past such resiliency has been provided by means of inherently resilient pneumatic actuator devices. However, in the operating arrangement of my invention a hydraulic system is adapted to accomplish the same type of operation, alfording a generally simpler operating system, and aflfording the important advantage of rendering the guide means more useful for centering or otherwise positioning a coil in desired orientation with the uncoiling machine.

Figure 6 illustrates schematically my novel circuit arrangement, and there is shown therein a conventional hydraulic pump 37, communicating at its inlet side with a fluid reservoir 38 and at its other side, through a conventional check valve 39, with a conduit 40. The conduit 40, in turn, communicates with a pair of four-way valves 41 and 42 and with a bank of gas-hydraulic accumulators 43. The valves 41 and 42 communicate individually with the guide plate actuating cylinders 34 so that upon appropriate manipulation of the valves 41 and 42 hydraulic fluid may be directed from the conduit 40 to either end of either of the cylinders 34 so that the guide plates 27 and 28 may be advanced or retracted, individually, as desired.

Communicating with the'head end of each of the actuating cylinders 34 is a separate small gas-hydraulic accumulator device 44. And it is in accordance with the teachings of the present invention that the accumulators 44 communicate with the cylinders 34 between the cylinders and the control valves 41 and 42 therefor. As shown in Figure 4, the accumulators 44, in the illustrated apparatus, are secured to the housings 10 and 11, above the actuator 34.

In the normal operation of the side guiding apparatus of Figures 1-6 the valves 41 and 42 are initially in a neutral position, as illustrated in Figure 6, whereby the ports are closed to the head ends of cylinders 34, while the rod ends are open to exhaust. While the valves 41 and 42 are thus disposed the pump 37, which may be of a relatively low capacity type, operates to charge the accumulator bank 43, with a supply of hydraulic fluid under relatively high pressure. Subsequently, upon a coil 23 being moved into uncoiling position and supported upon the mandrel 19, one or both of the valves 41 and 42 may be opened to admit fluid to the head end of one or both cylinders 34. Hydraulic fluid stored in the accumulator bank 43 is thus discharged into one or both of the cylinders to move the guide plates 27 and/or 28 into extended position to properly orient the coil with respect to the uncoiling machine. After the coil is thus properly oriented, the valves are manipulated to exhaust the head ends thereof and back-oil? the guide plates 27 and 28 about an inch, for example from the side edges of the coil. Accumulators 44 will be fully relieved of any pressure during'this operation as will be apparent.

When the guide plates 27 and 28 are positioned in properly spaced relation to the side edges of the coil 23 the valves 41 and 42 are returned to neutral position wherein all ports leading to and from the head ends of cylinders 34 are closed. The discharged accumulators 44, however, remain in communication with the head ends of cylinders 34, in accordance with the teachings of the invention.

At this time the uncoiling operation may be initiated, and it may be readily observed that the guide plates 27 and 28 will serve to generally confine the coil 23 to its predetermined orientation with respect to the uncoiling machine.

If at any time during the uncoiling operation one or more convolutions of the coil become axially shifted to an abnormal extent so as to bear heavily upon the guide plates 27 and/or 28, either or both of the plates may retract, and the hydraulic fluid thereby displaced from the head ends ofcylinders 34 is forced into the accumulators 44. This, of course, causes the gas chambers within the accumulators 44 to be compressed, providing a resilient restoring force to be applied to the displaced guide plates 27 and 28. If and when the out-of-line convolutions of the coil are returned to normal position, or paid off of the coil the guide plates will be returned to their initial preset positions.

Occasionally, though infrequently, during the course of an uncoiling operation, one or more of the convolutions of the coil will become so far displaced axially of the coil that it is necessary or highly desirable to compact the coil before continuing with the uncoilingoperation. Where such is the case a valve 45 may be manipulated to raise the working roll 16 momentarily and relieve the-pressure upon the coil 23. This is generaly suflicient to permit any displaced convolutions to be urged back into the coil.

It will be noted that the actuating system for the working roll 16 and cylinder 13, while including control valves 46 and 47 for regulating the downward pressure and rate of movement of the working roll 16, further includes a pair of check valves 48 and 49, arranged in parallel to the above mentioned control elements 46 and 47, whereby the roll 16 may be rapidly lifted during or at the end of an uncoiling operation as may be desired.

In Figure 7 I have illustrated an alternate control system which is adapted to provide partially automatic operation of my improved uncoiling apparatus. Thus, connecting the side guide actuating cylinders 34 I may provide solenoid-actuated control valves 50 and 51, of a threeposition type, each of which valves is provided with an opposed pair of operating coils a and b. The valves '0 and 51, when in neutral positions, block off the head ends of cylinders 34 while connecting the rods ends thereof with exhaust. But upon energization of coils 50a and 51a, for example, the head ends of the cylinders are connected to the pressure fluid supply, through conduit 40, whereby to cause the side guides 27 and 28 to move inwardly. And upon energization of coils 50b and 51b the rod ends of the cylinders are connected to the pressure source, while the head ends are open to exhaust, whereby an outward or separating movement of the side guides is eifected.

To control the energization .of the operating coils for valves 50 and 51 I have provided a pair of manually operated switching devices 52 and 53, having normally open contacts a and b, for energizing operating coils a and b respectively of each of the valves 50 and 51.

Thus, when contact a of switch 52 is closed operating coil 50a is energized through conductors 5456, and the plunger of valve 50 is shifted to the left, admitting fluid to the head end of the left hand cylinder 34. Likewise, when contact b of switch 52 is closed the operating plunger of valve 50 shifts to the right and pressure fluid is admitted to the rod end of the cylinder. And a similar control effect is obtained upon closure of contacts a of b of switch 53.

In accordance with the teachings of the invention switches 52 and 53 are each provided with a neutral contact 0 positioned betwen contacts a and b. And preferably the switches include spring means 57 and 58, or an equivalent, to automatically return the switches to neutral position after displacement in either direction by an operator.

Also in accordance with the teachings of my invention the contacts c may be elongated in a direction toward contacts b so that contacts c are closed when switches 52 and 53 are in neutral positions, and when contacts b are closed.

Connected in series relation with contacts c of switches 52 and 53, respectively, are relays 59 and 60, having normally closed contacts connected in parallel with contacts b. Relays 59 and 60 are of a time delay type, preferably adjustable, so that upon energization thereof a predetermined time will elapse before the relays open. Thus, as will be observed in Figure 7, whenever contacts 0 are closed energizing circuits for operating coils 50b and 51b are completed through relays 59 and 60 until such time as these relays open. And when contacts b are closed, operating coils 50b and 51b are energized independently of relays 59 and 60.

In the normal operation of the apparatus of Figure 7, switches 52 and 53 are initially manipulated to close contacts a, energizing operating coils 50a and 51a and cansing guides 27 and 28 to move together. By appropriate manipulation of the switches 52 anrd 53 a coil of sheet or strip material is centered or otherwise properly positioned in the uncoiling apparatus, with the side guides 27 and 28 in contact with both sides of the coil.

At this time the operator merely releases the switches 52 and 53, which are then caused, by springs 57 and 58, to return to a neutral position. When the switches reach such neutral position contacts 0 will be closed, simultaneously energizing valve operating coils 50b and 51b, and time delay relays 59 and .60.

As coils 50b and 51b are energized the plungers of valves 50 and 51 shift to the right and left respectively, directing fluid under pressure into the rod ends .of cylinders 34,while opening the head ends of the cylinders, and the accumulators 44, to exhaust. Thus, the side guides 27 and 28 are caused to back off from the sides of the coil, and at the same time all pressure is released from the accumulator .44.

A predetermined time after the closing of contacts 0 relays 59 and 60 time out, opening the energizing circuits for operating coils 50b and 51b, and thereby causing the plungers of valve 50 and 51 to return to a neutral position, substantially as shown in Figure 7. And, as heretofore described, at this time the rod ends of cylinders 34 are open to exhaust while the head ends are closed off, except .to .the accumulators 44, all in accordance with the general teachings of the invention. Preferably, the time delay afforded by relays 59 and 60 is such that the side guides 27 and 28 are backed off about one inch on either side of the coil.

During the pay-ofi of the strip from the uncoiling apparatus the side guides may yieldably retract, if necessary, to safely confine the side edges of the coil, all as has been heretofore described with reference to the embodiment of Figures 1-6.

Following a complete uncoiling operation it is usually desirable .to fully retract the side guides 27 and 28. And this is accomplished, in the apparatus of Figure 7, by manipulating switches 52 and 53 to close contacts b. Operating coils 50b and 51b are thereby energized independently of relays 59 and 60.

It is to be noted that the contact c of either switch 52 or 53 will remain in a closed condition as the switches are moved to close contacts b. Thus, during the backing off of the side guides 27 and 28 relays 59 and 60 will remain energized so that when the control switches 52 and 53 are released, to open contacts b thereof, the energizing circuit for relays 50 and 51 will be immediately interrupted.

It should now be apparent that I have accomplished the objects initially set forth. The invention teaches a novel coil guiding and confining arrangement, for incorporation into uncoiling machines of the processing type, which is characterized by substantial improvements, both in regard to mechanical features of construction and my improved operating system therefor.

For example, the illustrated side guide construction, comprising telescopically arranged tubular supporting and bearing members, operated by means of actuating cylinders nested within the tubular supporting member, affords an unusually neat and compact arrangement which has additional important advantages of extreme durability and ruggedness as well as simplicity and economy of construction. The bearing and support-ing members, may be of substantial cross sectional dimensions, whereby to afford a rigid and wholly adequate means of support for the guiding plates 28, while at the same time the bearing support for the retractible supporting members may be of substantial length to adequately resist lateral forces applied thereto by a rotating coil.

An important advantage of the present invention resides in my novel hydraulic actuating system for operating the side guide mechanism whereby the desired amount of yieldability is afforded by means of small gas-hydraulic accumulator devices which are maintained in a normally discharged or unloaded condition, except that upon displacement of either of the guiding plates by an axially shifted convolution of a coil there is applied by the accumulators a yieldably restoring force tending to return the shifted convolution into compact relation with the coil, but not with so much force as to damage or tear the side edges of the strip.

By employing a hydraulic operating system for the side guide mechanism I may more advantageously employ the mechanism for the purpose of shifting a full coil laterally on the supporting mandrel therefor to initially orient the coil in any desired relation with the uncoiling apparatus. And in this regard it will be noted that the large bank 43 of precharged accumulators serves to quickly apply moving pressure to either or both of the main actuators 34 so that a new coil may be manipulated with speed and precision, substantially unaffected by the small accumulators 44, whose functions become important at a subsequent stage in the uncoiling procedure.

In the embodiment of Figure 7 I have provided a novel and substantially automatic control arrangement for my improved uncoiling apparatus whereby an operator from a remote control pulpit may readily manipulate a coil to initially position the same properly in the uncoiling apparatus. And after the coil is so positioned the side guides are automatically backed off a predetermined amount from each side of the coil, as is desired in the preferred method of operation.

It should be understood, however, that the apparatus herein shown and specifically described is intended to be illustrative only and reference should therefore be had to the appended claims in determining the full scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. In an actuating system for a coil guiding mechanism of the type having a pair of spaced guide members and actuating means including cylinders having first and second ends for moving said guide members toward and away from each other, the combination of a source of hydraulic fluid, means for directing fluid under pressure into first ends of said cylinders to cause said guide members to move together into predetermined separated relation, means to block said means for directing, and normally discharged accumulator means operative thereafter to permit automatic yieldable separation of said guide members under pressure from said predetermined relation during uncoiling operations.

2. In an actuating system for a coil guiding mechanism of the type having a pair of spaced guide members and means for moving said guide members toward and away from each other; the improvement comprising hydraulic actuator means associated with said guide members, fourway valve means associated with said actuator means for selectively causing movement of said guide members toward or away from each other, and means to operate said valve means, said last mentioned means including time delay means for causing said guides to move in a separating direction for a predetermined distance following movement of said guides into contact with the side edges of a coil.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 further characterized by said valve means having solenoid operating means, and by said means to operate said valve means including switch means for energizing said solenoid means to cause said guides to move toward each other, and means operative upon release of said switch means to cause said guides to move away from each other, said last mentioned means including said time delay means.

4. In an uncoiling machine of the type having a pair of spaced side housings and means to support a coil between said housings for uncoiling, the combination of a pair of elongated tubular supporting members of enlarged cross section, elongated tubular bearing members forming a part of said housings and adapted to telescopically receive said supporting members, guide plates carried by said supporting members and adapted for movement therewith toward and away from a coil positioned on said means to support, actuating means for said guide plates comprising hydraulically operated cylinders positioned in nested relation within said tubular supporting members, a source of hydraulic fluid for said cylinders, control valves for said cylinders whereby fluid may be directed into either end of said cylinders, said control valves being adapted to close olf all passages leading from said source to the outer ends of said cylinders, and gas-hydraulic accumulators communicating with the outer ends of said cylinders independently of said control valves whereby said guide plates may be resiliently separated against the action of said accumulators.

5. In an actuating system for a coil guiding mechanism of the type having a pair of spaced guide members and means for moving said guide members toward each other into predetermined separated relation; the improvement comprising hydraulic actuator means associated with said guide members, gas-hydraulic accumulator means associated with said actuator means to permit yieldablc separation of said guide members from said predetermined relation, a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure, hydraulic valve means associated with each of said actuator means whereby said guide members may be caused to move toward each other under pressure into a first predetermined separation, and means to cause said guide members to move apart into a second predetermined separation, said last mentioned means including time delay means.

6. In a metal strip uncoiler of the type having a pair of spaced side housings and means spanning said housings for rotatably supporting a coil of strip, the combination of a vertically elongated rectangular window in each of said side housings, a tubular member of rectangular cross section complimentary to the cross section of said window received and permanently secured in each of said windows and extending outwardly of said housings, said tubular members being internally bushed at both their inner and outer end portions, a tubular supporting member of vertically elongated and rectangular cross section slidably received in the bushings of each of said first mentioned tubular members and each having a length substantially greater than the length of said first mentioned tubular members, a side guide plate rigidly secured to the inner end of each of said tubular supporting members in endclosing relation therewith and adapted to engage the side edges of the convolutions of a coil of strip positioned between said housings, said means for rotatably supporting said coil of strip being ofiset horizontally in relation to said guide plates whereby said guide plates engage the side edges of said coil at points horizontally spaced from the center thereof, a yoke rigidly secured to the outer face of each of said side housings and having a portion spanning the outer end of the adjacent tubular supporting member but separated therefrom, a hydraulic cylinder housed longitudinally within each of said tubular supporting members, a pivotal connection between the inner end of each cylinder and the inner end portion of the encompassing tubular supporting member, and a pivotal connection between the outer end of each of said cylinders and the said portion of the contiguous yoke.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,111,054 Paul Mar. 15, 1938 2,268,887 Matterson Ian. 6, 1942 2,292,916 Wheeldon Aug. 11, 1942 2,321,878 Tyrrell June 15, 1943 2,329,832 Fouse Sept. 21, 1943 2,566,629 Paxson Sept. 4, 1951 2,571,947 Russell Oct. 16, 1951 2,622,655 Todd Dec. 23, 1952 

